November 19, 1998 ^¾^.^¾
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l^lT^^^^^^f^^^^' l^^^^^^^^^^^^y^PW^^^^^y^^^^^^y^F^^^^yrp I/I ^p^ijj^pyp ,j iji,j.t >,i ^'v jv I^I J.jy-i,jj JLJ ^.1 »••.••»' DONTBLAMiCAflflltft All-Observer boys cross country team, C2 -. "; yOftLftTIOfUVMY , %4^l Mil MMvy )• not lit ; .';•'! (KUlDIHMtMMWilMll'l -:1.-.-- HonxSIbwn I f :<>yHN ^Mf-rt'rn"*n 1--HT «*"fiift" Putting you In touch Thursday with your woffd November 19,1998 Serving the Westland Community for 34 years © VOLUMF 34 NUVRF.R 4ft W?.STLANO. MICHIGAN • 78 PAGES • http://obscrverciccontnc.cotu 0 Iftt HOMTOWB CoaauoJcaUtMU N*twerfc. foe. IN THE PAPER 1 >:• Complaint sparks parking study TODAY The city prohibits parking on cul-de-sacs and The no-parking rules affect 270 cul- receive direct complaint* from neigh semi-circular streets known as "eyebrows," so de-sacs and eyebrows, Police Chief bors, . that emergency vehicles, such as large fire Emery Price said. However, Behen's complaints have •\l; The problem is particularly trouble brought the issue to the forefront, lead trucks, don't face roadblocks, but a Westland some when residents have company ing to possible changes that city. offi-. COUNTY man's complaint has prompted a study. but not enough apace in their drive cials said will be discussed next spring BY DARRELL CLEM he lives. ways to accommodate everyone. during new budget talks. Student guests: Exchange STAFF WRITER "I feel it's reasonable to be able to Further complicating access to cul- Officials have said it costs thousands students from all over the dclemeoe.homecomm.net park in front of my own home," he said de-sacs are landscape islands in the of dollars to make each cul-de-sac more One Westland man's complaint that Monday during a Westland City Coun middle of the circles, city officials said. accessible through such measures aa iy&rtdcorne to stay with he can't park in front of his own house cil meeting, "We'd like to see all of the islands removing landscape islands. That could, local host families and has fueled plans for a citywide study of The city prohibits parking on.cul-de- removed," Mayor Robert Thomas said, mean a huge tab for city taxpayers. .'1 <iiie[rid western Wayne parking restrictions on 270 streets. sacs and semi-circular streets known "but some of the neighbors don't want Fire Chief Mark Neal said adminis Gerald Behen has implored city offiS as "eyebrows*" amid concerns that them taken out." tration officials are trying to figure ouj> County high schools. It's a cials to reconsider no-parking rules on emergency vehicles, particularly large Public Safety officers said privately what would be the best option t^o circular cul-de-sacs like Easley, where fire trucks, could face roadblocks. that illegal parking is often ignored on yearlong experience that cul-de-sacs and eyebrows, unless they leaves fumiliesandsiu'- :'-. '.'". Please see PARKING, A2 deritschanged,/A10 COMMUNITY LIFE Cook at that: Garden City coffeehouse United Methodist Church is hosting "A Hot Time at the Auction Tonight." OF- Memorabilia from Kris BY DARRELL CLEM '• Draper and Bo Schem- > STAFF WRITER bechler isfeatured. /Bl [email protected] STORY AND PHOTOS BY TOM HAWLEY A Westland coffeehouse - popular among students, recovering alcoholics; poets and young lovers - has survived AT HOME a possible shutdown. Some patrons of Wonderground Working together: Psychi Espresso House feared that their; favorite hangout would close for failing atric patients and staff at to comply with city codes since it a local hospital get great opened in 1996. enjoyment from garden- But the business - in a two-story house affectionately decorated by ing./m owner Jeannie DeBenedet #X 539 N: Wayne Road ,-r hasi been given -a Proud skaters: Danielle reprieve': • '•; •"••';/;'...' :-'•';>• _' ,••..-••.. • r\"\ ENTERTAINMENT andStfiveivaich prac In a 6-1 vote Monday, Westland City Council members gave W.onderground tice at Joe Lquis Arena, a special land use and site plan Music: The Emerson approval, - in essence giving Quartet will perform DeBenedet one year to address probi 'SfiiddyWJKe University Siblings skate toward leras. Councilwoman Justine Barnis IT, f opposed the measures. ofMichigan sRackham DeBenedet had never been autho P Auditorium. /El their Olympic dream rized for a coffeehouse, and city offi They are the best of friends, whether it cials said her business hasn't met codes l»J is on the ice or off. Danielle Hartsell, a such as paved parking, shielding from senior at John Glenn High School, will nearby residences and sufficient access turn 18 this coming Saturday. She and for disabled patrons. Theater: "Break a leg" her brother, Steve, 20 Westland resident Bob Johnson has and attending Oakland 'Danielle: long complained about Wonderground, isn't something youVl - University, have become but city officials chose to give hear Stephanie Stephan one of the top pair figure ADAY DeBenedet time to address problems say to her cast when the skaters in the country. rather than forcing out a small busi The brother and sister IN THE ness that they say complements the curtain rises on tlie Livo- team skates for the LIFE neighborhood. n ia-Redford Theatre Detroit Skating Club in "I don't think the integrity of the city Bloomfield Hills. This is the first in a was compromised," Councilman Guild's production of "A series as photographer Tom Hawley will Richard LeBlanc said. "I hope that Chorus Line" opening be documenting Danielle's senior year what we did sends a message to the Friday./Bl with a series of photo stories this school small business owners in town that year. we're willing to work with them to allow them to make a profit while giv See related story. Page A12 ing residents what they want." Wonderground customer Sandee REAL ESTATE Rager of Garden City urged the council Monday to support a coffeehouse where All sett The Hartsells (top she found solace following a near-fatal Learning: A developer photo) get ready to start their car accident. urged other developers to short program. After their "And if not for the Wonderground,; J seek community approval long program (right photo) in wouldn't have met the man that I'm the Skate America, Danielle going to spend the rest of my life with,* for their projects. /Fl she said. '. i puts her head on Steve's She also commended DeBenedet for1 shoulder and apologizes as providing an outlet on certain nights INDEX coaches Mitch Moyer (left to for Alcoholics Anonymous meeting? right), Jason Dungjenand and, on other nights, for poets to read Obituaries A8 Johnny Johns await the and share their works. Poetry consid-. ered by some to be "risque^ is reserved M Classified Index 1. ?A judges' scoring in the staging for the after-9 p.m. crowd, she said. Real Estate F5 area at Joe Louis Arena. The "The Wonderground does a lot of couple finished fourth overall. Crossword -_ P7 Please see COFFEE,75 Jobs „ _ G6 Home & Service H8 Automotive IIJL Local man faces charges in fraudulent check case [Opinion A16.J7 I Calendar _ B4 BY DARRELL CLEM Dexter said. on two felonies: the suspect should stand trial on the I I Sports .CL STAFF WRITER The suspect is accused of depositing • Uttering and publishing, a 14- charges in Wayne County Circuit [email protected] \ I Real Estate Fl fraudulent checks into accounts at year felony that stems from allegations Court. 1! A Westland man is accused of Wayne-Westland Federal Credit Union ho deposited the fraudulent checks. Police said the case serves as another depositing fraudulent company checks and Northwest Airlines Credit Union - • Larceny by conversion, a five-year reminder of how some criminals are HOW TO REACH US into two credit union accounts and and then withdrawing the money for felony that stems from accusations he using technology rather than physical then withdrawing the money for his personal use, Dexter said. withdrew the money. violence to illegally obtain money. own use, police said. The incidents began in June and led Bokos ordered the suspect jailed in Westland police Lt. Marc Stobbd Newsroom: 734-953-2104 The 24-year-old suspect faces two to a police investigation resulting in lieu of a $25,000 cash bond and ordered commended Dexter for a thorough, Newsroom Fax: 734-591-7279 felony charges following allegations charges against the man on Nov. 12. him to appear today (Thursday) for a investigation that helped nab the sus- preliminary hearing on the charges. E-mail: bJ»cnm»neo«.rM>mecoflim.net that he illegally obtained about Westland 18th District Judge C. $11,300, Westland police Sgt. Jamos Charles Bokos arraigned the suspect The hearing will determine whether Please see CHARGES, A2 NlghVtne/Sports: 734-953-2104 i-l Reader Comment Uno: 734-953-2042 ? • ... Classified Advertlstng; 734-691-0900 Here comes Santa Claus 0 Christmas tree Display Advertising: 734-591-2300 • Children of all ages will welcome Santa at 11 a.m. The city of Westland will be holding its annual Home Delivery: 734-591-0500 Saturday, Nov. 21, as he arrives by horse and car PLAGES & FACES Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 6:15 p.m. Mon riage outside entrance 6, just cast of JC Penney at day, Dec. 7, on tho front steps of City Hall. Westland Shopping Center. conducted at 2 p.m. The event will feature Santa Claus, tho singing of John Glenn High School's mnrchlng band will * Digital Image Santa photographs will also he Christmas carols and the lighting of trees, lead Santa and Westley Holiday Bear to West Court taken. Santa will be on the set 11 a.m.